© The Guthrie News Leader

Wednesday, September 3, 2003 & Sunday, September 7, 2003

Marvin Lyle Gant, 55, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 2, 2003. He passed away in the loving arms of his wife and two sons after a long courageous battle with vasculitis, end-stage renal disease and diabetes. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father who worked two jobs through the years to support his family. Because of all his sacrifices for his family, he will always be our hero and was lovingly nicknamed by the family as "Marvelous Marvin."

Marvin was born February 16, 1948 in Edmond to Margaret and Roy Gant. He attended Guthrie Public Schools and was very active with Harmony Community Church and 4-H. He was awarded Outstanding Logan County 4-H Boy in 1965-1966, he toured nine European countries with 60 other 4-H members from Oklahoma in a Youth People-to-People Tour. Marvin entered into law enforcement with the Guthrie Police Department and later with the Logan County Sherriff Department. Marvin's love for working with the youth began as a sponsor with the youth group of Noble Avenue Baptist church hiking across the Continental Divide in the late seventies. He continued volunteering his time with the youth and became the Cub Master for Guthrie Cub Scout Pack 850, and was awarded the Eagle District Cub Master of the Year in 1985. Marvin returned to the University of Central Oklahoma and received his degree in Business Education. While at UCO, he represented the Professional Business Leaders organization by placing 1st in the Oklahoma Division of Mr. Future Business Teacher, and then 2nd in the National Mr. Future Business Teacher at Washington, D.C. in 1990. Marvin began a successful teaching career as a Business Education teacher at the Guthrie High School and was later selected as a Teacher of the Year Nominee in 1996. He was a member of the Guthrie Masonic Lodge # 35. His hobbies included stockcar racing, tennis, movie-going, football games and family trips. Marvin's greatest joy was his two sons, Kevin and Kenny. He was always happy and proud to participate with them in their church, school and sport activities, and very proud of their accomplishments.

Marvin wanted to thank the doctors and nursing staff at Mercy Hospital, DaVita Dialysis Centers, and Advantage Care Hospital who took care of him. Also thanks to Dr. Dennis Clark and the wonderful church family at First Christian Church in Guthrie, the many area churches that kept Marvin on their prayer list for the last 3 1/2 years, Guthrie School Board Members, administration and teaching associates, and to all our relatives and firends who gave us the courage to deal with this unfortunate illness. Marvin was well respected, loved and admired by all those who knew him and he will be missed. His influence and wonderful sense of humor will live on in all those whom he touched in life. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife of 32 years, Charlene; two sons, Kevin and Kenny; brother Donavan and wife Jan; niece Donnita Wilkens and husband Ron, and their sons Colt and Garrett, nephew Mark Gant and son Christopher, all of Edmond, father-in-law Harvey Hardy, mother-in-law Mary Jane Bessinger and husband Bill; sister-in-law Marlene Uselton and family, all of Guthrie; sister-in-law Darlene Wright and family of Simi Valley, California; Kathleen Hardy of New York City; Michelle Leach and family of Perry; and a host of cousins.

Marvin expressed in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the educational trust fund established at BancFirst for his son, Kenny, who is working towards his degree in Industrial Engineering at OU, the organ fund at the First Christ Church in Guthrie, the Guthrie Education Foundation through the Guthrie Public Schools or a charitable organization of your choice.

The Memorial Services for Marvin were conducted by Dr. Dennis Clark on Friday, September 5, 2003 at 4 p.m. at the First Christ Church in Guthrie under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.

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